I get monster migraines from computer or TV screens, what can I do?

Question

I've had huge migraines for a little over a week now, and I've figured out it's from computer screens and TV. I'm on the computer for at least 2 hrs a day at school, one for my research project and one when I'm a library aide. What can I do to prevent the monsters from invading my life? When I type I change the background to black and the font to gray, and it seems to help a little.

It's a migraine, I get nauseous, dizzy, and just want to go to sleep. It's usually around my right temples and my upper right forehead. I don't need glasses, I got a check up over the summer.

The pain is enough to keep me from certain activities, but doesn't completely keep me from everything. I've been getting them since last Monday. I drink plenty of water. I do have blood pressure instability, it can soar downward when I change positions i.e. going from sitting down to standing up.

I have woken up in the middle of the night with a pounding headache, but it wasn't enough to inhibit my ability to go back to sleep, I actually was back asleep withing minutes.

Answer 1

That amount of exposure should not really create this type of a problem, but here are things that you can do. First, make sure that your eyes have been checked recently. Eye strain can cause many problems, including migraines. Sit far enough back that you are not hunched over staring at the screen. Don't stay at the machine for more than 15 - 20 minutes at a time without taking a break, if only to get out of the chair and walk around the desk once.

In the meantime, you really should check with a neurologist for other possible causes, including food allergies, sinus issues (infected sinuses are great for causing migraines), hormonal issues, etc.

Answer 2

Light sensitivity is a common migraine trigger. It is not eye strain. I suffer this too and have found that for computer-work and TV watching it helps to dim the lights in the room and to reduce the contrast and brightness on the computer monitor. Also, take breaks and avert you eyes as a matter of habit. At all costs to do not watch any film with rapidly changing images - which for me means skipping some TV shows completely and looking immediately away from any flashing ads that come up on my PC. Taking pain killers daily is a bad idea - you will quickly cause rebound migraines if you take meds more than 3-4 times a week.

There are coping and avoidance strategies, no cures, for chronic migraines. Good luck.

Answer 3

Try and see if they will purchase a screen difuser for you, these are also called glare guards. They help to reduce the amount of light that is actually projected from the screen. These will help with the migraines. Also when watching TV, try and have a light on in the same room so that the TV is not the only light source.

Answer 4

i get migraines too.. they most likely not caused by the computer or tv screen, those just alwaysss make them worse. If you absolutely need to be on the computer, try wearing sunglasses. i know it sounds a little funny but it helps. changing the background color helps a little too, you're right. bright lights are probably the worst thing for the headaches.
are you sure it's a migraine?
if it is, it's usually in one particular spot on one side of your head. it could be caused by stress, your period, or a number of different things. You might want to call a doctor if they continue.. i've resulted in a perscription migraine headache medicine.

Answer 5

Photophobia happens for me when I spend too much time on the screen for work and school. I learned that taking Excedrin too much is not good. It's about taking time away from the screen even if it's to take a dump or go for a walk or eat something. Let's your eyes rest or it feel like someone is extracting your eyeball without pain med. Another way to get lightly tinted clear glass to wear; it's kind of like staring directly into the sun. Also, I got a computer screen that kind of limits the brightness into my eyes. Hope this is helpful.

Answer 6

Sit further back and adjust the brightness to the screen make sure that its not too bright. Also adjust the font size like you can change the percentage at which you are viewing webpages and documents so that you dont strain your eyes as bad. I would also suggest to see the optometrist/eye doctor but I think you're just suffering from prolonged use of the computer. Also take a break when you're hurting close your eyes or sit in darkness if possible to rest your eyes.

Answer 7

Apart from all the quite interesting ideas and suggestions already given, you should remember that some people simply cannot look at TV, computer, or other shimmering views (such as the surface of the ocean) without triggering a headache or migraine.

For such people, glasses, computer screens, taking breaks, etc. will not really help.

Answer 8

Use good screen/monitor.

Alternate systems of medicine can only help you.

There is no medicine for H/A OR MIGRAINE. Not only these but for RA, OA, Back ache and almost all painful diseases. Hence they become chronic.

Acidity, WORRY, sadness, excessive wind, cold , heat, sour food and sinusitis, constipation, intestinal inflammation; drug side effects, stress, bad smell, TV & COMPUTER SOMETIMES,
Blockage in the flow of Vital Energy, BODY CONSTITUTION etc are their causes. None of them can be treated with medicine. Our 100% success in treating migraine &H/A confirms it.

Acupuncture is the best treatment.
I can treat it with naturopathy and YOG, but how can you manage pl see.

Pain killers don't treat the pain but we loose the sense of pain for some time; in that duration our body itself treats sometime and credit goes to meds.
The useless drugs have tremendous power of side effects like liver/kidney failures, ulcer, inflammation of intestines and lot more.

Avoid late sleeping if possible; worry, spicy foods, sour fruits, stale bakery foods, SMOKING and alcohole.
Sweet foods, COCOANUT WATER,sweet fruits, milk, rice, SPROUTS, SALADS and good sleep will help if cough is not there.

But you try one herbal remedy- two drops of drumstick leaves' juice in opposite nostril if one side pains and both nostrils if full H/A will give you rescue. Betel leaf helps but it is very strong.

If it is acute pl search a painful point 3-6 mm behind your thumb nail and press it, H/A will disappear within 30 seconds.

For forehead pain the points are in front of nails on the finger tips or 3-7 mm below.

It may disappear naturally too.

Source(s):
SHREE SWASTHYAYOG TREATMENT, TRAINING & RESEARCH INSTITUTE
R.H. 19, Jhulelal Society, Sector 2/E, Airoli, Navi Mumbai, INDIA.

Answer 9

Try Apple Cider Vinegar and water, or stop watching TV and using the computer. If this persists you may want to talk to specialist, you may need vision correction. Or you may have a you are too close to the monitor. Personally, I think you need more water, and maybe some vinegar. Oh, acupuncture works well also.

Answer 10

Stay away from the screens as long as possible. Give yourself breaks. I think they make a screen cover for monitors. I get headaches as well. Its no fun when there is a dead line.

Pam